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What Members Thought
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield was the selection for the first book club meeting I attended in the DC area. My friend Karen graciously allowed me to join her book club and I was very excited to get to talk about books again. Since I had not read a book in a few weeks, I was also excited to dive into what promised to be a good story. I was instantly drawn into the worlds of Margaret and Miss Winter. Parts of the book were like a love letter to readers. I loved Margaret's description of
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A diverting gothic, Victorian story. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although the ending seemed a bit rushed compared to the leisurely storytelling of the first 3/4 of the book.
This is another one that I wish I could give 2.5 stars to. I enjoyed the overall story, but I think Setterfield could have gotten us through it faster. The story follows a young woman who is hired by a reclusive author to write her biography. The author has told journalists differing, incorrect things over the years, and as we hear her actual story unfold, it becomes clear why she has done that. We bounce back and forth between the present day and the author's childhood, which worked well most o
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Is there such thing as a sleepy gothic?
After getting sucked in -- I started this book unwittingly just before a bout of insomnia claimed me -- by the first few pages, I read some of the reviews on goodreads about this book. While I agreed with some, both praising and critical, some I believed to be unfounded.
The story was itself fairly predictable, and slightly formulaic. As I'm not a true gothic novel fan, the gothic-light genre this book fits into was a good fit, especially for a cold, Octobe ...more
After getting sucked in -- I started this book unwittingly just before a bout of insomnia claimed me -- by the first few pages, I read some of the reviews on goodreads about this book. While I agreed with some, both praising and critical, some I believed to be unfounded.
The story was itself fairly predictable, and slightly formulaic. As I'm not a true gothic novel fan, the gothic-light genre this book fits into was a good fit, especially for a cold, Octobe ...more
This is more a 3.5 star for me but I rounded up because I did really enjoy the escape of it. Engaging and suspenseful read, just sometimes got a little hokey.
A depressing story. I wouldn't read it again.
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Jan 20, 2009
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Jul 31, 2013
Melissa
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Jul 21, 2015
Jessica
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Oct 02, 2015
Rachael
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